Sinn Féin - On Your Side

Sinn Féin to meet the Parades Commission on Ballymena Parades issue

Speaking ahead of a party meeting with the Parades Commission tomorrow
regarding a continuous Loyalist parade in Ballymena, Sinn Féin North Antrim
MLA Philip McGuigan has said, 'I welcome the fact that the Parades
Commission are finally beginning to realise the seriousness of the issues
that surround loyalist band parades in the town.

Mr McGuigan said:

"Obviously I welcome the fact that the Parades Commission are finally
realising the seriousness of the issues that surround loyalist band parades
that pass the north end of Ballymena.

"We in Sinn Féin have always said that people have the right to march and
participate in parades but the issue in Ballymena is that there are those in
the unionist community who wish to use this as an excuse to coat-trail past
Nationalist homes and intimidate the locals.

"Ballymena is a predominantly unionist town and there is ample geography
within it for the bandsmen to parade peacefully and with the full support of
the host community. This can be done without venturing into the Nationalist
North end of the town and seeking confrontation from that community.

"The Parades Commission and the Governments clearly need to understand the
issues, so I would ask them to make a determination that not only entitles
people the right to march, but entitles the Nationalist people to live in
their homes without the fear of unnecessary intimidation and Unionist
coat-trailing exercises." ENDS